Imphal, May 25: Inspite of facing the problem of erratic power supply and the impact of frequent bandhs and blockades impeding in transportation of the required raw materials from outside, some of the enterprising entrepreneurs in the State have been able to make a mark for themselves in the field of manufacturing plastic goods, that too of high quality and durability.

From the well-known Sangai water storage tanks to plastic bags and polythene pipes, for the past few years the State has witnessed a spurt in the activities of the plastic industries, and the latest entrant in the field are the doors and windows made from the Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP).

Regardless of the compulsion on spending extra money on generators for power, as the power supply in the State is erratic as a norm rather than as an exemption, and difficulties in transportation of the raw materials from outside due to frequent imposition of bandhs/ blockades and illegal taxes collected along the way among other impediments that retard pace of development of a prospective business, these entrepreneurs, nonetheless, have the satisfaction of manufacturing quality goods in their own State.

Interacting with The Sangai Express, proprietor of Manipur Plastic Industries and Sharma Plastic Pipes Industries GC Sharma, one of the pioneers of plastic industries in Manipur, informed that since its establishment in 1985, his factory located at Takyel Industrial Estate has manufactured plastic bags and high density polythene pipes and have won many National awards in this connection.

However, over the last few years, production has been affected due to various factors like erratic and shortage of electric supply, calling of frequent bandhs and blockades, etc.

These days, slightly deviating from manufacturing of plastic products, GC Sharma said that his company is paying attention on producing 'Silver Dew', a noted brand in packaged drinking water.

Silver Dew is the first packaged drinking water brand produced from North East region which has been awarded National award. In his firms, GC Sharma employed around 40 persons.

Manoharmayum Geetaranjan, the proprietor of Lismart Industries, which is manufacturing 'Sangai' plastic water storage tank, said for him manufacturing plastic products is not so much with an eye on earning profit, but to prove that Manipuris can also produced high quality plastic products like any others.

He informed that around 15 workers are being employed in his firm and to see the smile on the face of his workers when they get their pay gives immense satisfaction on being an entrepreneur.

However, Geetaranjan Sharma is of the opinion that sustaining industry in Manipur is difficult due to erratic power supply and the problem faced in transporting raw materials to the State.

Moreover, encouragement from the side of the Government is essential for the survival of the industries, he observed.

Since 2001, his Lismart Industries has been manufacturing water storage tanks of different sizes .

He informed that some portion of his monthly income is being spend on procuring oil to feed the generator regularly.

Apart from causing problem to the machines, irregular and shortage of power supply sometimes led to wastage of raw materials when power supply went off after commencement of the work.

Ensuring power supply for atleast 6 hours at a stretch every day in Takyel Industrial Estate area would be to the betterment of all, Geetaranjan said.

Standing aloft from the rest, Ranjoy Plastic Industries, which is also located at Takyel Industrial Estate has brought out doors and windows made from Fibre Glass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) much to the conveniences of the people.

Unlike the doors and windows made from woods and conventional plastic, the FRP doors and windows are said to be 100 percent water, weather and termite proof with no need for painting or polishing.

The FRP doors and windows are also said to be acid and alkali proof.

According to Proprietor of Ranjoy Plastic Industries Kh Ratankumar, FRP is a new trend of building and construction industries in India.

Set up in 2005, his firm, apart from manufacturing FRP doors and windows, his firm has also make its mark in manufacturing roof light translucent sheets and repairing Plastic fibre boats.

He said that although electricity is not much of a problem for him, bandh and blockade definitely caused lot of difficulties in bringing in raw materials from outside.

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